Welcome to Motegi ! Before the competition starts on Saturday 1 November 2003, this first report will concentrate on a general presentation of the Twin Ring Motegi, the location of the 19th FAI World Grand Prix 2003, and on the preparation work achieved on Thursday 30 October.

What is Twin Ring Motegi ?

Located north-east of Tokyo (between the Japanese cities of Naka and Utsunomiya / approx. 2 ½-hours drive from Tokyo-Narita International Airport), Twin Ring Motegi is an island of technology and speed lost in a luxurious nature made of forests and small mountains.


Apart from the main facilities, a 2.4-km oval race track and a 4.8-km road course dedicated to car and motorcycle races, different courses for karts and a dirt track are available, as well as the Honda Collection Hall, the Honda Fan Fun Lab (a technical site showing the future of vehicles and robots) and... a 500-meters concrete runway. This short and "aircraft-carrier-like" runway requires from pilots a high degree of concentration, and frequent go-arounds. Adjacent to the runway, a series of tents constitute the "hangars" used for the maintenance of aircraft.

Reassembly of aircraft is terminated

Delivered to Japan in containers, the reassembly of the aircraft has been terminated Wednesday afternoon. After thorough ground checks and test flights, the first training flights for Artistic Programs and Time Challenge competition could take place today in a clear sky.

Friday 31 October : Official Practice Day

Friday, the first day open to public, will be the Official Practice Day, allowing fine-tuning of aircraft and infrastructure. For further information : Haute-Voltige

In our next reports, we will come back to the competitors, to the aircraft and to the competitions that will be held on Saturday and Sunday.